Although
Sir Rowland Hill is credited with the idea of the adhesive postage
stamp, Scottish bookseller and printer James
Chalmers is also given consideration for its invention. The first day
cover below whose cachet features an image of James Chalmers was
cancelled at his birthplace, Arbroath. Scotland.

Bournemnouth 27th Philatelic Congress

Bournemouth -27th Philatelic Congress of Gt. Britain

May 6, 1940

Bournemouth : Centenary of Adhesive Postage Stamps Exhibition

The
Postal History Society sponsored the exhibition which raised funds for
The British Red Cross Society and The Order of St. John.

The Exhibition ran from May 6 to 11, 1940

Bournemouth Adhesive Stamp Centenary

Last Day of Exhibition May 11, 1940

(not a first day cover)

London : The Royal Philatelic Society's Stamp Centenary Exhibition

The Exhibition was held in London from May 6 to 14, 1940, in aid of the Red Cross St. John Fund.

May 6, 1940 first day of issue

London Red Cross Exhibition to British Expeditionary Force (France)

May 11, 1940 (not first day)

Received in France May 15, 1949

"Received at Chateau de la Rochere Mulsamme Le Mans"

15/5/40

Chateau
de la Rochere, located in the north west French town of Mulsanne, 10km
from Le Mans was likely requisitioned by British forces. The British
were forced to evacuate less than two weeks after the above cover was
received. German forces entered Mulsanne on June 20, 1940.

Stamp Usages : Principal Services

I have reproduced relevant excerpts from The Post Office Guide August 1940 which summarize some of the Inland, Imperial and Foreign charges for principal services.

Several rates had increased on May 1, 1940, days before the release of the Centenary stamps.

Letters

Inland

The inland letter rate was 2 1/2d. for the first two ounces and 1/2d. for each additional 2 oz.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

During the Korean War (1950-1953), five Royal Navy light fleet carriers served in the combat area. Their roles were to carry out strike operations against tactical targets ashore and to enforce a naval blockade. HMS Glory was the carrier that saw the most action during the war. Her aircraft, Sea Furies and Firefly FR5s destroyed 70 bridges, 392 vehicles, and 49 railway trucks.

Hawker "Sea Fury" Fighter is catapulted from the HMS
Glory, during Korean war operations circa June 1951.

HMS Glory served three tours in Korea. The cover below was mailed during her second tour.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

This post deals with a 1939 cover mailed by Kermit Roosevelt (1889-1943), son of former U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt, to his brother Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (1887-1944).

Kermit Roosevelt

Kermit with his father Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

Kermit Roosevelt was a businessman, explorer, and a writer who served in both world wars. In 1939, he joined the British Army and was discharged on medical grounds in 1941. He returned to the United States and received a commission in the U.S. Army from his distant relative President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Kermit Roosevelt in the British Army, 1939

Kermit Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt Cover

Signed on the envelope flap

Kermit Roosevelt had received a commission with the Middlesex Regiment which was stationed at Inglis Barracks at Mill Hill East. London. The cover was mailed at Mill Hill, November 1, 1939, and addressed to Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York.

Theodore Roosevelt Jr,

Ted Roosevelt, like his brother Kermit, fought in the two world wars. He was instrumental in forming the American Legion in 1919, and served as Governor of Puerto Rico and Governor General of the Philippines. In 1939, Ted was a vice-president of Doubleday Doran publishing. During WWII, Ted achieved the rank of Brigadier General in the U. S. Army and was awarded a Medal of Honor.

Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

Oyster Bay, Long Island

Oyster Bay was the location of President Theodore Roosevelt's now historic home, Sagamore Hill. In 1938, Ted Roosevelt Jr. built a house on the property which became known as Old Orchard House.

Old Orchard House is now a museum

Redirection to Doubleday, New York

The letter was redirected to "D Doran Co" [Doubleday Doran], New York, where Ted was a vice-president.

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WELCOME

This blog deals with the George VI period, 1937- 1953. Traditional postal history topics such as rates and mail handling are featured. As well, philatelic subjects are included.

Readers need not be collectors of stamps or covers to enjoy the postings. For an idea of how I expect this blog to develop in the next few months, please have a look at my Canadian blog called Postal History Corner

Please email me at philcovex@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments.